View From T'Other Side: Ipswich Town

How would you describe Ipswich's season and did you fear the worst after taking 15 games to get your first win?

One word describes our season and that is frustrating. I was never too worried after 15 games because I believed once we got a win we would go from strength to strength. That did start to happen but unfortunately our inconsistent form has seen us drop back into trouble.

What is the fans impression of Roy Keane, and has it changed over the course of the season?

When he took over at Ipswich, he was seen as a messiah that would 100% take us back to the Premier League. This was a bit premature and I must admit there are many fans seriously questioning his methods and want him to be sacked. However I want him to stay as I believe in the long term he will sort this club out and we will benefit from his strict no nonsense approach.

You've drawn 17 games this season, what do you think Ipswich have been lacking to turn some of those draws into wins? Also considering you've only lost 11 matches, is 17th a false position?

I wouldn’t say it’s a false position, it just shows we haven’t scored enough goals. Stats show we have had the most shots on goal in the league and this makes it even more bizarre that we have had such a poor goal threat. The signing of Darryl Murphy has worked well so far and he is only one off being top scorer so maybe we are starting to score a few more, at least at home anyway.

You currently sit a healthy six points off the relegation zone, after your disastrous start, will safety still be considered a success or do you feel Ipswich can push on for the top half in the remaining nine games of the season?

I think we need to aim for as high as possible, although of course avoiding relegation is our primary concern. Six points may seem "healthy" but one or two bad results and your right back in the mix, and we still need to play Swansea, Newcastle and Forest away so we have a tough run in.

Who has been Ipswich's star performer this season, and who will you be happy to see leave Portman Road in the summer, and why?

Star performer would probably be Grant Leadbitter. Over the course of the season he has driven our team forward even when we had been playing very poorly. Damien Delaney would also be high on the list, since moving from left back to centre back he has been a revelation. I would like to see Lee Martin go as I see no talent in him at all and I believe the likes of Alan Quinn, Owen Garvan, Tamas Priskin, Pim Balkestein, Alex Bruce, and possibly Pablo Counago may be leaving. The reasons why are that they have not met Keane's high standards and I would agree with all bar Owen Garvan, I still think this guy has got the talent.

What areas of the squad need strengthening to ensure you don’t have a start like you one you have had this season in 2010-2011?

We need to invest in a prolific striker but how many teams will be saying that? The problem is if they were prolific they won’t be moving so it may be a hard search. I believe we also need another left midfielder, other than that I don’t really think we need to strengthen, the players we already have just need to perform better.

Who most impresses you in the Barnsley side?

From what I have seen this season I would say Bogdanovic. I wasn’t sure when you guys signed him but since Mark Robins has taken over he has been very good and scored some vital goals. Delaney and Macaulay will need to be on their game on Saturday to take care of him.

Score Prediction for Saturday.

It will go one of two ways, we will get a massive reaction from Keane’s anger on Tuesday, or the players will be very nervous. If we can score the first goal I think we could record a narrow in. I'm going to go for 2-1.

Where do you see both Ipswich and Barnsley finishing up come May?

I think Ipswich will finish around 15th and survive, and I can see Barnsley finishing in the top half of the table, you made a really good appointment in Mark Robins and I will admit I had you down for relegation before he came so to see you doing so well now is a surprise but good luck to you and I hope the rest of your season goes well for you after Saturday.